Handyman vs. General Contractor in Kentucky: Which Do You Need?
Cost, scope, permits and licensing, explained plainly, with a decision framework for Lexington homeowners.
Short answerHire a handyman when the job is a repair or install that takes hours to a couple of days and needs no permit or licensed trade, such as drywall patches, gate repair or TV mounting. Hire a general contractor for remodels, additions, new decks and structural work that needs permits and several trades. In Kentucky, electrical, plumbing and HVAC work needs a state-licensed tradesperson either way.
Key takeaways
- A handyman is usually one person who handles many small repairs and installs. A general contractor manages larger projects and often uses subcontractors (Angi).
- Kentucky licenses plumbing, electrical and HVAC work at the state level through the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction.
- In Lexington, LFUCG requires permits for attached decks and fences 24 inches or taller, among other projects.
- Handymen nationally average $405 per project; contractors cost more for small jobs because of overhead and minimums (Angi, HomeAdvisor).
- Use the decision framework below: size, permits, licensed trades, and timeline.
Comparison table
How do a handyman and a contractor compare?
| Handyman | General contractor | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical job size | Hours to two days | Weeks to months |
| Typical cost | National avg. $405 per project (Angi); $60–$125/hr (HomeAdvisor) | Higher; usually priced per project with overhead and markup |
| Who does the work | Usually the person you hired | A project manager plus subcontractors |
| Permits | Rarely needed for repairs | Pulled for new decks, additions, structural work |
| Licensed trades (KY) | Refers electrical, plumbing, HVAC to licensed pros | Hires licensed subs |
| Scheduling | Days to a week or two | Often booked weeks out |
| Best for | Best for punch lists, repairs, installs | Best for remodels, additions, new builds |
Pros and cons
What are the pros and cons of each?
Handyman: pros and cons
Pros
- Lower cost for small jobs
- Faster scheduling
- One person to text
- Can bundle many small items
Cons
- Not for permitted remodels or additions
- Can't do Kentucky-licensed trade work
- One person means limited capacity on huge jobs
General contractor: pros and cons
Pros
- Manages permits, plans and inspections
- Coordinates several trades
- Handles structural work
Cons
- Higher cost and minimums on small jobs
- Longer wait times
- You may never meet the person doing the work
Decision framework
How do you decide? A five-question framework
- Is it a repair or a remodel? Repairs and installs point to a handyman. Moving walls, adding rooms or rebuilding structures points to a contractor.
- Does it need a permit? New attached decks, fences 24 in. or taller and many remodels need an LFUCG permit (LFUCG Homeowner's Corner). Permitted work usually goes to a contractor.
- Does it need a licensed trade? New circuits, plumbing lines and HVAC need a Kentucky-licensed pro (Kentucky DHBC).
- How big is it? Under two days of work is handyman territory. Multi-week projects need a contractor.
- How fast do you need it? Handymen usually schedule faster for small jobs.
Best for
Which is better for your situation?
| Your situation | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small budget, small fixes | Handyman | No project overhead; bundle items into one visit |
| Selling soon, inspection list | Handyman | Fast, many small items, one price |
| Kitchen or bath remodel | Contractor | Permits, plumbing and electrical coordination |
| New deck | Contractor (or a builder who pulls the permit) | LFUCG permit and plans required |
| Historic district exterior change | Check LFUCG first | A Certificate of Appropriateness may be needed |
| Urgent safety fix (loose railing) | Handyman | Quick scheduling |
FAQ
Handyman vs. contractor questions
Can a handyman pull a permit in Lexington?
LFUCG lets the property owner apply as owner/builder, or a registered contractor applies for you. For permitted work, we tell you up front which route your job needs.
Is a handyman cheaper than a contractor?
For small jobs, usually yes. Angi puts the national average handyman project at $405, and contractors add overhead and minimums.
Can a handyman do electrical work in Kentucky?
Not work that requires a state electrical license. We do minor like-for-like swaps and refer the rest to a licensed electrician.
What if my job turns out bigger than expected?
We stop and tell you. If it has grown into contractor work, we say so.
Related
What should you read next?
Free, no-obligation quotes
Not sure which you need? Text us a photo.
We'll tell you honestly whether it's a handyman job. We reply within one business day.
About this page & sources
Prices are typical Lexington ranges from our own jobs, not quotes. National figures and local rules are linked to the source we checked.
How did we build this comparison?
We are a handyman business, so we have a stake in this question. That is why this page names the jobs we should not take. We built the comparison from national cost data (Angi and HomeAdvisor), Lexington permit rules (LFUCG), Kentucky licensing rules (DHBC), and the jobs Frank turns down or refers out every month. Historic districts add one more step: exterior changes there may need a Certificate of Appropriateness (LFUCG Historic Preservation).
Where do these numbers come from?
- Angi: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Handyman? (updated Sep 23, 2026)
- HomeAdvisor: Handyman Price List (updated Jun 17, 2026)
- LFUCG: Homeowner's Corner permit guides
- LFUCG: Residential Deck Help and Guide
- LFUCG: 2026 Fence & Retaining Wall Permit Guide
- LFUCG: Local historic district permits
- Kentucky DHBC: plumbing license FAQ
Last updated · By Frank Roche Jr., owner · What changed in this update: October 2026: new page.
